The global computer telephony integration market reached a size of $1.73 billion in 2021.

Computer telephony integration (CTI) has become very popular across a range of industries in recent years. Technological advancements have made it an effective solution for almost any business that deals with customer calls.

If you want to know more about CTI and how it can help your business, keep reading.

What Is CTI?

CTI is a technology that integrates telephone and computer systems together within a business. An operator can use a CTI system for a range of tasks such as:

• Making outbound calls
• Receiving incoming calls
• Call transferring
• Call logging
• Looking up data

Salesforce Open CTI provides these functions directly from a Salesforce record, so there is no need to install any additional CTI software on a system. Instead, it uses various apps to carry out a range of functions.

Salesforce Dialer is often used for call functions but is far more limited than CTI. Fastcall, for example, adds several capabilities such as voicemail drop, dial by list, and listen-in.

Benefits of CTI

There are various options when it comes to CTI software, and they all offer a range of advantages. Knowing what these benefits are will help you better decide if CTI is right for your business.

Increased Productivity

Features like IVR (interactive voice response), call routing, and automatic callback allow agents to work in a much more streamlined fashion. They can help customers resolve issues quickly, and won’t get overwhelmed by the volume of calls.

This leads to improved customer satisfaction in almost all cases.

Reduced Costs

Only using landlines is essentially impossible for modern businesses. While PBX systems have been widely used in the past, CTI is generally more cost-efficient when it comes to installation and maintenance.

Call Flow Control

CTI systems provide features like inbound call queueing, call routing, and ACD (automatic call distribution). These make it easier for your agents to handle calls and reduces the time customers spend waiting. Improving operations in this way will result in greater worker and customer satisfaction.

Sales and Software Integration

Most CTI platforms make it easy to integrate various pieces of software for increased functionality. You can choose which apps to add based on the nature of your business and the features you need. This way, you can create a customized platform that makes everyday operations much easier for your agents.

Scalability

One of the main goals of any business is to grow and expand. While this is always beneficial, some issues can arise when this happens.

If you have systems in place that can’t scale to meet business demands, you might run into trouble as your company expands. CTI software is ideal for any business size, and you can make changes at any point to meet your needs.

Does Your Company Need Computer Telephony Integration?

Businesses that use computer telephony integration tend to have much higher productivity, better customer interactions, and increased profits. You may be able to manage your business without it, but you’ll be missing out on all of the benefits that CTI software provides.

For more business articles check out some of our other blog posts.

 

Did you know the U.S. tech industry is expected to have a compounded annual growth rate of up to 5% by 2024?

Technological advancement is a powerful tool that companies cannot take for granted. Adoption of new technology presents many benefits to both small and large companies.

For small businesses, technology adoption levels the playing field when competing with large businesses. The right technology also helps businesses speed up processes such as communication.

New technology for companies gives businesses a chance to adopt efficient manufacturing techniques. The right technology also leads to effective marketing and a better customer experience.

If you want to stay ahead of the curve and create a good competitive edge, ensure to keep up with business trends. If you plan on scaling your business and don’t know the right technology to embrace, you are in the right place.

Here are new technological advances for companies to embrace in 2023.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI has been and will continue to be the biggest technology trend of the century. However, were are still in the early stages of its development.

AI-powered robots and managers so far have immensely changed how industries work. AI technologies are being integrated with existing business processes to smoothen operations.

Today, AI technologies such as advanced machine learning processes have surpassed human capabilities. Devices such as Google Assistant and Alexa are used widely to provide a better user experience.

2023 is when most businesses will introduce AI into their processes to minimize costs and offer better customer services. So, if you want to have a competitive edge in 2023, it’s better you pay attention to AI technologies.

Investing in AI technology might be an expensive affair, but its benefits will give you a return on your investment.

Internet of Things (IoT)

The Internet of Things is a technology that utilizes sensors to generate real-time data. Businesses can put these sensors in their manufacturing processes to assess performance. Companies can also use this technology to monitor employees’ performance.

For instance, IoT devices were used greatly during the pandemic to enhance employees’ safety. The real power of IoT is evident when paired with the appropriate AI or ML solutions. The data obtained by the IoT is sent to an ML system for assessment.

The AI then reviews the information provided by the ML system to determine the appropriate measures to take. Therefore, if you want to eliminate downtime and reduce maintenance costs come 2023, invest in AI and IoT technologies.

Blockchain Technology

Blockchain technology has been hitting the headlines for years now. But by 2023, it shall become instrumental to every industrial process. The security behind blockchain technology makes it ideal for use in the banking and financing sectors.

Blockchain technology’s focus is on developing decentralized lodgers. These ledgers keep track of information from multiple locations. To make changes to the system, a person must acquire authentication from other uses.

Hacking the system is impossible because complex calculations are required for identification. Therefore, individuals trying to use real IDs to access the system get blocked immediately.

However, it’s quite hard to predict the future of blockchain technology. This is because most large political and banking corporations are against technology.

However, with larger corporations investing heavily in blockchain, watching the technology is crucial.

Adopting blockchain technology will enhance transactions’ security, efficiency, and instant traceability.

Cryptocurrency

Just like blockchain, the data of cryptocurrency is decentralized. It’s safely stored across multiple locations. But there have been a few critical issues behind the use of cryptocurrency.

At first, most people believed cryptocurrency was a scam meant to last for a short period. However, cryptocurrency gained popularity and started growing faster than most people expected. As a result, some businesses have adopted cryptocurrency as a means of payment.

2023 shall be the best year for most companies to keep an eye on cryptocurrencies. It is likely the year when the technology’s actual fate shall be determined. Unfortunately, most business owners still fear that cryptocurrency might deflate and disappear just like it appeared.

5G Technology

4G technology has been around for some time now. However, the 5G technology is being introduced due to the shortcomings of the 4G technology.

The main advantage of the new 5G technology is that it increases internet speed by ten folds. This means businesses that adopt this technology would enjoy faster internet speeds.

However, various elements make the implementation of this technology a bit tricky.

First, the technology uses a wavelength spectrum of 24GHz and 100 GHz. This wavelength facilitates the movement of data over short distances only.

Secondly, the installation of 5G antennas is expensive and requires investments worth billions.

Besides, 5G waves cannot penetrate through thick walls and structures. Hence, the relays must be installed inside buildings with thick walls.

However, despite these complications, the benefits of adopting 5G technology cannot be ignored. 5G technology will entirely transform how businesses operate.

It will enhance connectivity and data speeds. Therefore, as a company owner, keep track of 5G technology trends come 2023.

Quantum Computing

Quantum computers are a recent generation of computers that utilizes quantum bits instead of binary systems. They use different varieties of 0s and 1s to encode and decode information. This makes these computers more efficient in processing data than traditional ones.

To be precise, data that would have taken a traditional computer 10 000 years to process can be processed by a quantum computer in just 3 minutes. Quantum computers are also powerful to break 256-bit encryption in seconds.

These computers use algorithms that easily implement impossible tasks with ease. Microsoft and Google are some companies that have invested heavily in the development of these computers.

Therefore, companies that want to have a competitive edge come 2023 must pay attention to quantum computing.

Cloud Services

Cloud services have been around for a while now. Most businesses have appreciated the importance of investing in cloud services. Cloud services allow a business to scale its operations without investing heavily in new IT equipment.

A business can store large data and manage it from an online cloud. Therefore, a business that wants to enjoy a competitive advantage must take advantage of these technologies.

Businesses that find managing IT equipment challenging can hire managed IT services.

Cybersecurity

Cyberattacks can lead to the theft of corporate information, financial information, and money.

In addition, if it goes public that your company was under cyberattack, it can negatively impact your business’s reputation. Yet, surprisingly, almost 60 % of small businesses believe they can’t be targeted in a cyberattack.

However, that is not quite true. Both small and large businesses can be victims of cyberattacks.

Therefore, 2023 is a year where companies should focus on fighting back. Companies should come up with measures that would keep them protected from cyberattacks.

Data Fabric

Data is essential for the strategic and operational effectiveness of any business. Data fabric is an architecture that offers reliable capabilities across data on the cloud, edge devices, and premises.

Data fabric ensures proper control and protection of data. The architecture also ensures that only authorized people can access private data. Furthermore, with data fabric, you get to enjoy data restoration and backup capabilities.

You can also optimize your data while on the go with this technology. So if you want to enhance the security of your company’s data, pay attention to data fabric come 2023, if not immediately.

Wireless Conference Rooms

Small and large companies require meeting spaces to discuss matters affecting the company.

Today, most businesses are opting for wireless solutions for holding meetings. These solutions connect team members from wherever they are located.

Modern collaboration tools have video streaming and presentation sharing tools. These tools help save time during online meetings.

Come 2023, save time and money by adopting wireless conference rooms.

Software Unification

In the modern workplace, more software is being adopted to enhance communication. Companies are using slacks and outlook to connect with teams and customers. However, connecting this software to work as one system is not possible.

This leads to a wastage of time as one keeps checking for information from one software to the next. But with technological advancements taking place today, a breakthrough might be made in 2023. A platform that harmonizes all these communications might be introduced.

Discover New Technology for Companies to Embrace in 2023 Today

Adopting the right technologies helps businesses reduce operational costs and gain a competitive advantage. There is a new technology for companies that businesses can adopt in 2023 to scale their operations.

Did you find the content in this article helpful? For such informative content and more, read our other blogs.

Did you know that only 43% of US households have access to fiber optic internet?

No one likes to have slow internet. Lagging connection speeds mean you’re not getting the best out of the internet services you pay good money for. If you’re struggling with slow internet, you should consider upgrading to fiber internet optic.

Fiber optic internet is the fastest internet out there, but how fast is fast? Find out in this quick guide to fiber optic internet speed.

What is Fiber Optic Internet?

Fiber optics are the fiber cables that run for miles underground to provide a connection to the internet. These cables are made up of plastic or glass and transmit light. As the light transmitted moves through these cables, information is transmitted and decoded as media (audio, video, images, etc.).

Fiber Optic Internet Speed is the Fastest

Fiber optic internet can reach speeds of up to 1,000 megabits per second (Mbps). At 1,000 Mbps (or 1 Gigabit per second), a two-hour movie can be downloaded in under 10 seconds.

Let’s compare fiber versus DSL and cable.

Of the three types of internet connection, DSL connection is by far the slowest. DSL has download speeds of up to 35 Mbps, which is about 97% slower than fiber optic.

Cable has download speeds of up to 500 Mbps, making it half as fast as fiber.

What Makes Fiber Optics So Fast?

What makes fiber optics so fast is the ability to transmit light and its incredible bandwidth capacity. Compared to the copper wiring of DSL or cable, the glass wiring of fiber optics transmits light much faster than the electrical currents going through copper. The speed of light transmission can also be sustained over much longer distances than electrical currents over copper.

Fiber optic cables are also highly resistant to electromagnetism. This gives fiber cabling durability that copper wiring does not have.

Where Can I Get Fiber Optics?

Fiber optic internet has a number of different providers but is not available in every town or city. While fiber is available in every state, many states have very low coverage. No one fiber provider covers every state but each provider does cover certain states and regions.

For example, Verizon is a major provider of fiber optics but only serves ten states on the east coast. Cable provider Century Link serves 36 states with fiber optics, but mostly in the South and Southwest regions. Google even has its own fiber services, called Google Fiber, and serves just twelve cities and counties total across the US.

If you live in Pennsylvania, Virginia, or West Virginia, and are interested in trying a new provider that focuses exclusively on fiber optics, then check out glofiber.com.

The Bottom-Line on Fiber Optic Internet

If you’re looking for the fastest internet connection money can buy then fiber optic is the way to go. Fiber optic internet speed is simply unmatched and, while not available everywhere, is well worth paying for if it’s available in your area.

If you enjoyed what you read here, come check out the Technology section of our blog for more!

 

Did you know that 12 percent of all resources are wasted due to poor project management? Successful projects need to get managed in the right way, which means that you need to take the time to earn some tech tips and take on the task of IT project management. Learning how to manage a project will make everything easier and ensure that you stay on the right timeline.

Having a skilled and motivated IT team is a great start for getting your IT projects off the ground, but there are other helpful tips that you need to use. The good news is that you’re in the perfect spot to learn all about IT project management and what it entails.

Keep reading this article to learn more about how to manage IT projects today!

1. Get the Right Project Manager

The first thing that you need to do when you start IT projects is to find someone that is qualified to manage a project for your business. The project managers need to have respect for the developers that are working with the IT team. They should also have a strong understanding of what they’re doing in order to run successful projects.

2. Scope Out the IT Projects

It is also a wise move to scope out the IT projects that you’re planning to manage. Get the full picture of what you need to accomplish when you manage a project and then cut it down as much as you can while still achieving the objective. This is the core of IT project management.

3. Monitor Your Projects and IT Team

A good project manager also stays on top of the IT projects and the IT team that is working on them to make sure that they’re staying on task and that they have everything they need in order to do the job. They need to keep their head on a swivel and be aware of everything that is happening at all times. Check out ferroquesystems.com for more.

4. Get Project Management Software

It might sound dumb, but investing in project management software will go a long way in learning how to manage a project. Combine the software with some helpful tech tips and you’re well on your way to completing tons of successful projects and having. a great career.

5. Manage Change

Arguably the most difficult part of IT project management is learning how to manage change with everything that is going on around you. You need to analyze the changes regarding time, budget, and how essential certain aspects of the project are toward the finished product.

Start Managing Your Own IT Projects

Managing IT projects might sound like a walk in the park, but you need to be vigilant and have a strong ability to manage change as the IT team gets closer to completion. It is also important to scope out the IT projects and get rid of anything that isn’t vital to the project. Most of all, you need to find the right project manager that knows how to manage a project and work with the IT team.

For more informative articles just like this one, check out the rest of our blog today!

 

The average American spends more than an hour and a half on the computer each day. Some spend as much as 14 hours on the computer. That kind of time investment can make it a real pain when something goes wrong.

If you’ve got computer issues, you want it fixed fast. You don’t want to take it to a technician if you don’t have to, especially if it’s a desktop and not a laptop. Fixing a computer takes time, and you may not have that.

We’ve compiled some of the most common computer problems out there and some basic fixes you can try.

Computer Problems With Printing

Printers often struggle to communicate with PCs. Almost everyone who owns both a computer and a printer has had to troubleshoot them at least once, and unfortunately, a lot of different issues can pop up. Business computers, which deal with a lot of printing, can run into printer problems all the time.

Try these solutions first.

Check the printer’s drivers, ink reservoir, and paper tray. Sometimes paper can get misaligned, ink can run out, and software can get out of date.

Failing that, try turning both the computer and the printer off and on again. Sometimes rebooting helps.

As a last resort, try clicking on the printer’s status icon in the system tray. This will show you if something’s wrong with its queue.

Computer Making Strange Noises

A computer making strange noises often has an issue in the case. GPU and CPU fans both can fail or accumulate gunk, leading to persistent whining from the fan.

Sometimes you can address this by spraying the fans with compressed air. Make sure the computer is off before spraying it. This can even speed up your computer by allowing your parts to run more effectively.

If this doesn’t help, it might be the hard drive making noises. This should serve as a warning to back up your files, as a noisy hard drive sometimes indicates impending failure.

Black Screen

If your computer and monitor are both on but not displaying anything, you should start by checking your connections. Sometimes a wire just gets knocked loose and needs to be put back in place. Try unplugging everything and plugging it back in, if nothing seems to be working.

If all that fails, you may have a broken computer. At that point, you can either try switching to a different type of connection or take it to a professional.

Wireless Connection Drops

Wireless connections dropping sometimes happens because Windows has a power-saving feature that turns off your wireless interface card. You’ll have to turn this feature off to check if that’s the culprit.

From your computer’s Power Options, go to Advanced Settings. Under the Wireless Adaptor Settings category, you should have an option for Power Saving Mode. Set this to Maximum Performance.

Skip the Squad

The next time you’re worried about computer problems, try these simple troubleshooting tips and avoid a potentially expensive repair. Whether you’re dealing with powerful business computers or your home PC, you should know how to perform at least basic checks.

If you want to learn more about how to take care of your gear, look at our technology section. We’ve got information on all the latest gadgets.

The presence of the pandemic has brought many changes to our world. One of the significant ways it has affected us is how we handle money and transactions.

Contactless payment technology has surged in the last 2 years, and for good reason: being able to make swift transactions that are not only convenient for our fast-paced world but also the exchange of germs and viruses can be minimized.

So, how exactly does the contactless payment method work? And what new forms of this technology are being made available. Keep reading to find out more.

How Does Contactless Payment Work?

Contactless cards, and the like, use a type of technology called radio-frequency identification, (or RFID). This technology comprises two components: the tag (cards, smartphones, etc.) and the reader (payment terminal). RFID tags can store a surprising amount of encrypted data that is communicated to readers through radio waves.

Each transaction is given a unique serial number that can be traced by the cardholder’s bank. This number functions as a virtual substitute for the actual card number. Therefore this technology is far more secure than the magnetic stips of old.

Safe to say, contactless cards are more secure than the traditional method of dialing your PIN into a keypad.

Types of Contactless Payment Technology

Thanks to the versatility of this technology, contactless payment currently comes in various forms. There is the physical credit or debit card with RFID technology.

Also available is a concept called a Mobile Wallet. This is usually thanks to an app like Google Pay or the ones available at https://bentoforbusiness.com/features/virtual-debit-cards/. These programs transform your smartphone into a virtual debit card, for instance.

Gadgets like smartwatches also have the ability to serve as tags for contactless payments. The mind boggles at what could be next technologically!

What Are the Benefits?

Besides the increased security that contactless technology has over previous payment methods, the ease of use and time factors are not to be overlooked. The world continues to warm to this form of technology in areas like public transport and parking. The time saved in handling cash and time spent in long queues need not be a concern of yours.

For business owners, this kind of technology is ideal for making purchases. For instance, sending employees to make purchases without the need to share sensitive information with them may also be an advantage.

The Future of Transactions?

In the age of the NFT and cryptocurrency, one thing is clear: the way we see money and transactions are evolving. The contactless payment method appears to be here to stay in some form or other. Knowing how this technology works brings its users peace of mind. It also highlights the inevitability of becoming part of our daily life sooner than we think.

Still not convinced? Why not stick with our site and do more research on the world of business and finance? Research and education are the keys to a secure financial future.

 

Did you know that Instagram sees over one billion active monthly users and 500 million daily Instagram Stories?

As a business owner, you know that creating quality content is essential to gaining and keeping customers. But what does it take to make your content stand out on social media?

If you’re active on Instagram, you’ve probably noticed the increasing popularity of Instagram Reels. Reels are short, fun videos that users can create and share on the platform. And they’re an excellent way to grab attention and show off your brand personality.

Check out these Instagram reels tutorial tips to learn how to make Instagram reels that grow your brand:

Keep It Short and Sweet

When it comes to social media, we all know that content is key. Whether you’re posting a photo on Instagram or tweeting a witty remark, the quality of your content will determine how successful your post will be.

That’s why it’s important to remember that the same principles apply to Reels. To capture your audience’s attention, your Instagram Reels length should be concise and to the point.

No one wants to watch a long, drawn-out video when they’re scrolling through their feed.

Instead, focus on delivering your message clearly and concisely. Keep your Reels under 30 seconds for the best results. By following this simple rule, you’ll be sure to capture your audience’s attention and deliver a reel that packs a punch.

Use Engaging Visuals

If you’re looking to capture users’ attention on social media, then you need to make sure your Reels are visually appealing. Bright colors, fun fonts, and interesting graphics are all great ways to make your videos pop.

And don’t forget to use relevant hashtags and @mentions to reach a wider audience. With a little effort, you can ensure that your Reels are hard to scroll past.

Add a Touch of Humor

As an experienced videographer knows, one of the most important aspects of reel-making is injecting a sense of fun and personality into the final product. After all, reels are all about entertainment.

So if your videos are dry or overly serious, viewers are likely to click away quickly. Luckily, there are a few easy ways to inject a bit of humor into your work. For example, you could add some funny outtakes from filming or include a light-hearted voiceover.

Alternatively, you could use humor to contrast with more serious topics. For instance, if you’re discussing a difficult issue, adding a few jokes can help to lighten the mood and keep viewers engaged.

Ultimately, adding a bit of humor to your videos is a great way to connect with viewers and make your brand more relatable. So don’t be afraid to have a little fun with your reel-making!

Highlight Your Products or Services

An Instagram Reel size is small. You only have a few seconds to grab people’s attention on social media, so it’s important to make sure you’re promoting your products or services in the most effective way possible. One great way to do this is through Reels.

Reels are short-form video feature on Instagram that allows you to be creative and share engaging content with your followers.

You can use Reels to give people a behind-the-scenes look at your business, show off your products or services in action, or even just share some fun and interesting facts about what you do.

No matter what approach you take, including Reels as part of your social media strategy is a great way to promote your business and get people interested in what you have to offer.

Use Relevant Hashtags

Reels is a relatively new feature on Instagram, but it’s quickly become one of the most popular ways to share content. And one of the best ways to get more views on your Reels is to use relevant hashtags.

Hashtags help to categorize your content and make it more discoverable. And when you use popular, trending hashtags, you’re more likely to reach a wider audience. But it’s important to use hashtags that are specific to your niche or industry.

This way, you’ll reach people who are interested in your content and more likely to engage with it. So if you’re looking to reach a larger audience on Reels, be sure to use relevant, industry-specific hashtags.

Promote Your Reels

While you may think of Instagram Reels as being primarily for entertainment, they can be a great tool for promoting your business. By sharing Reels on your website or blog, you can give potential customers a taste of what your business is all about.

You can also share Reels in your Instagram Stories or on your business page, providing another way for people to discover your products or services.

And because Reels are easy to create and share, you can quickly and easily promote your business to a wide audience.

You can promote your reels for likes, but automatic likes will help you grow much faster.

Analyze Your Results

After you’ve put in the hard work of creating engaging Reels, it’s important to track their performance so you can see what’s working and what needs improvement. The number of views, likes, and comments are all good indicators of how your Reel is being received.

If you see a decrease in any of these metrics, it may be time to make some changes. Try experimenting with different types of content or vary the length of your Reels to see what gets the best response.

With a little trial and error, you’ll be able to create Reels that get noticed and get results.

How to Make Instagram Reels

Now you know how to make Instagram Reels. While there are many ways to create successful social media content, following the tips we’ve outlined in this guide will give you a strong foundation for creating Instagram reels that stand out from the crowd.

If you want more information on how to make your social media marketing strategy successful, be sure to check out our blog for more articles like this one. Thanks for reading!

Did you know that the global vehicle tracking market was worth $17.64 billion in 2020 and is projected to expand at a 13.3% compound annual growth rate from 2021 to 2028?

According to Grand View Research, different factors contribute to the expected market growth. They include the need for better operational efficiency, profitability, and productivity.

These are the sorts of things to consider if your business has a fleet of vehicles. Are you interested in learning more about the benefits of GPS fleet tracking?

Here’s a look at 5 major benefits of tracking your fleet with GPS technology.

1. Lessen Operating Costs

If you’re a fleet manager, you’ll want to investigate ways to reduce operating costs — and GSP technology is one such option. It’ll help you reduce vehicle repair costs, fuel costs, and insurance costs.

You’ll gain insight into how the vehicles are being used and will then be able to implement any needed changes to substantially lower operating expenses.

2. Learn About Vehicle Fleet Usage

When using a tracking system, you can find out about the location of the vehicles in your fleet, idle time, car speed, stops, and inappropriate use. The level of information you get will all you to get more out of your vehicles.

You can set up the system to get notifications in real-time that allow you to make decisions in real-time.

Your staff will be more accountable and less likely to be about their own business while on duty.

3. Prevent Vehicle Theft

For every 100,000 people, 246 vehicles were stolen in 2020. That was the most substantial rate of vehicle theft since 2009. If any vehicles in your fleet get stolen, that will lead to downtime that you can’t afford.

You may never get a stolen vehicle back again if there’s no GPS system. So, it does make sense for a fleet manager to use GPS tracking technology. There’s a better possibility that any stolen vehicle will be found and returned to you.

A company like equipmentshare.com provides GPS tracking technology you’ll want to explore. It might be just what your company needs for fleet vehicles.

4. Better Productivity

GPS tracking makes fleet management easier. You’ll know where all your vehicles are at any time of the day. So, you’ll be able to assign specific drivers to different locations.

Your staff will be more productive if your vehicles are equipped with GPS tracking technology. If there’s a driver in close proximity to a customer, you’ll know it. You’ll be able to dispatch the driver closest to the client in question.

5. Meet Customer Expectations

If you use GPS tracking to manage fleets, you’ll be able to provide accurate information to your customers. They’ll want reliable delivery times, and you’ll be able to deliver accurate tracking information in real-time.

GPS Fleet Tracking is a Must if You Have a Fleet

If your company has a fleet of vehicles, then GPS fleet tracking is worth considering. The benefits will likely outweigh the cost.

Are you interested in reading other articles about technology, business, finance, and more? Be sure to check out more content on our website.

Computers are impossible to escape from these days. If you’re running a business, you almost certainly rely on digital systems. According to statistics, around 77% of jobs now require a computer.

This reliance on digital technology means most businesses have an IT support system. IT support is always a difficult decision for businesses as you need to balance cost with performance.

So what are some of the factors that affect the average cost of IT support for your company? This article lists 4 of the most essential elements.

1. Internal or External

One of the most significant factors in determining your IT support rate is whether the company is internal or external. Hiring an internal team is usually the most expensive option as you’ll need to pay those employees a wage and give them all the tools they need.

On the other hand, your costs are somewhat lower when you hire an external team. The downside is that an external team will have multiple other clients.

2. Setup Costs

Another factor to consider with the cost of IT support for small businesses is the setup costs. All kinds of IT systems will need to be set up before they’re operational. For example, you might want to implement a support ticket system through an external company.

Any company you hire will need to set up the technology first. In some cases, this might take several days of labor. The more complex the system you want to implement, the more the setup will cost.

3. Data Storage

Data storage costs money, and the more data you store, the more it costs. Whether you’re storing data internally or externally, you’ll need to pay for storage space.

If you want to practice good data security, you’ll need to have multiple copies of everything. This can quickly push up your costs if you have a lot of data to work with.

You should resist the urge to cut corners in this area, as data loss can be devastating.

4. Local vs. Overseas

Remote assistance technology means you don’t even need to be in the same country as your IT consulting company. This means you can save a lot of money by outsourcing your IT to a cheaper country.

While overseas support might be cheaper, it can introduce issues like time zones. Some IT problems will also involve physical hardware. An overseas team may struggle to investigate those kinds of issues.

Now You Know the Cost of IT Support

There are certainly many ways you can cut the cost of IT support if you want to save money. With that said, your company relies on your IT systems to operate. You shouldn’t cut the costs so much that you don’t have an IT company you can depend on to keep you up and running.

If you want to learn more about some other technology-related topics, check out the rest of our blog posts.

Is your construction company still using emails, spreadsheets, and calls to stay on top of a construction project? Is communication more challenging as messages get lost in the process?

Are you spending hours looking for documents related to your current project? If the answer to all the above questions is yes, we have the perfect solution for you; it’s time to integrate contractor software into your business.

According to a 2020 study, nearly half of contractors are still using spreadsheets to manage construction projects. About 14% use these files to collect data, while 27% use them for scheduling.

Unfortunately, this means that 21st-century construction workers are still using ’80s technology. Hence, they’re missing some key benefits by not using contractor software.

There are plenty of reasons to make the switch. Read on to learn more about why contractor software is so essential and how it can help your business grow.

Risk Management

Any seasoned construction contractor knows that managing risk is a crucial part of the job. And while there are many ways to do this, one of the most important is to have good construction software in place.

You can use the construction software to track all the important details of your projects. These details include the budget, construction schedule, and weather conditions.

Having this information at your fingertips helps you anticipate risks and react accordingly.

For example, if you know that a project is behind schedule, you can take steps to speed things up. Or, if the weather is going to be bad, you can reschedule construction for another day.

This way, you can easily see where things are going wrong and make changes before it’s too late.

It Saves You Time and Money

Have you heard of the term “time is money?” Well, it’s especially true in the construction industry. If you’re not careful, construction projects can quickly spiral out of control time-wise and budget-wise.

This is where good contractor software comes in handy. If you’re not using one, there is a good chance you’re wasting time and money needlessly.

Construction software such as Costcertified can help you manage construction project costs from start to finish. This includes all the crucial details, such as the budget and material costs.

It also helps you quickly create accurate quotations for potential clients. This helps you avoid going over the budget and keeps the construction project on track.

It also saves you time by allowing you to manage construction projects remotely.

You can access the software from any device, which means you can manage construction projects from anywhere. Check out this article on how you can benefit from using Costcertified.

Managing Clients

Dealing with clients can be a construction project in itself. Fortunately, most construction software often comes with handy features like a client management system.

The feature can be a lifesaver when keeping track of construction contracts and invoices. Hence, it makes it easy to stay on top of things.

Additionally, a client management system can help you keep track of construction leads. This allows you to follow up with potential customers and turn them into paying clients.

Easy Accessibility

When handling a construction project, there are a lot of files, documents, videos, images, and emails generated in the process. If all your documents are physically stored in the office, accessing specific files and old communications related to your current project can be challenging.

You may need access to the budget, client communication, and purchase orders while on the construction site. A contractor software with a centralized system gives you and your team easy accessibility to all project-related files from anywhere, at any time.

This is especially helpful for construction managers who are often out of the office and need to be able to access files quickly and easily.

Besides, easy accessibility also allows you to easily share documents with clients and other stakeholders. For example, if a client asks for the construction schedule, you can easily pull it up on the software and share it with them in just a few seconds.

This level of transparency and accessibility is essential for building trust with clients.

Improved Efficiency

Working with contractor software means you can manage your jobs more efficiently. You can use the software to track progress, set deadlines, and assign tasks.

In addition, the software can also act as your digital assistant by sending reminders and keeping you organized. As a result, you’ll be able to get more work done in less time, which will improve your overall efficiency.

Improves Communication

Managing jobs during a construction project can be a nightmare. But with the help of a digital assistant, it can be much easier.

One of the biggest challenges most construction companies face today is streamlining communication between the people in the office and the field. However, good contractor software will improve communication between you and your team.

Poor communication often results in delayed and even canceled projects. It’s also quite easy to go over the budget if you and your team aren’t on the same page.

But with construction software, managers can communicate with the team seamlessly. This helps keep everyone updated on the progress of the project.

This level of transparency keeps everyone involved in the project in sync. Hence, you can complete the project on time without unnecessary delays.

Additionally, the team on the field can use the built-in chat feature on the software to communicate any issues they face. This way, the project manager can offer them guidance from the comfort of the office.

Invest in a Good Contractor Software Now

As you can see, there are many great benefits of using contractor software. The software makes it quite easy to manage construction projects. It also improves communication and increases efficiency.

If you’re looking for a way to streamline your construction business, investing in the right contractor software is a no-brainer. With the help of the software, you’ll be able to take your business to the next level.

For more technology and construction-related content, check out other posts on our website.